Purpose Statement
The Links widget allows users to group and display multiple web links within a single dashboard widget. This provides quick access to frequently used internal First Due pages or external websites, helping users organize resources by topic and launch them directly from a dashboard.
Background Information
The Links widget is part of the Dashboards module and is designed to organize commonly used links into clearly labeled groups. Each widget acts as a curated link list, where each link opens in a new browser tab when selected.
Common use cases include:
Grouping weather-related websites or tools
Linking to supply vendors or external partner sites
Creating quick-access collections of First Due reports
Organizing operational resources by topic or function
Links widgets do not embed content inside the dashboard. Instead, all links open in a separate browser tab.
Required Permissions
To create or manage a Links widget, users must have:
Access to the Dashboards module
Permission to edit dashboards or dashboard layouts
Users can open any link in a Links widget regardless of role, as long as they already have permission to access the destination page.
Video
Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Open the Module Stack
Click the First Due logo in the upper-left corner of the screen to open the module stack.
Step 2: Navigate to Dashboards
Select Dashboards at the top of the module stack, then click Dashboards from the menu.
Step 3: Select or Create a Dashboard
Choose an existing dashboard from the dropdown list, or create a new dashboard where the Links widget will be added.
Step 4: Review Existing Links Widgets (Optional)
If the dashboard already contains Links widgets, click any existing link to open the destination in a new browser tab.
Step 5: Enter Edit Layout Mode
Click Edit Layout to place the dashboard into edit mode.
Step 6: Resize or Manage Existing Widgets (Optional)
While in edit mode:
Drag the corner handle of a widget to resize it
Click the pencil icon to edit an existing Links widget
Click the trash can icon to delete a widget
Deletions must be confirmed and cannot be undone
Step 7: Add a New Widget
In edit mode, click Add Widget.
Step 8: Select the Links Widget Type
From the Type dropdown menu, select Links (the first option in the list).
Step 9: Enter a Widget Title
Enter a title for the widget.
This title appears at the top of the widget frame
The title should reflect the grouping or topic of the links (e.g., Weather, Gear Suppliers, Reports)
Step 10: Add a Link
Click Add Link to create the first link within the widget.
Step 11: Enter Link Details
For each link:
Enter a Link Title, which appears as the clickable hyperlink
Paste the URL directly from your browser
Click Add to save the link.
Step 12: Add Additional Links (Optional)
To continue building the group:
Click the pencil icon on the widget
Use Add Link to include additional links related to the same topic
Click the delete icon next to a link to remove it
Click Update when finished editing links.
Step 13: Save Dashboard Changes
Click Save to exit edit mode and publish the dashboard updates.
Best Practices
Group links by a clear, consistent topic to improve usability.
Use short, descriptive link titles so users know where each link leads.
Copy URLs directly from the browser to avoid errors.
Avoid overcrowding a single widget—use multiple Links widgets for different topics.
Confirm links after saving to ensure they open correctly.
Troubleshooting & FAQs
A link doesn’t open correctly.
Verify the URL is correct and accessible. Edit the link using the pencil icon if needed.
I accidentally deleted a link or widget.
Deleted links and widgets cannot be recovered. You must manually recreate them.
I don’t see Edit Layout or Add Widget options.
You may not have permission to edit dashboards. Contact your administrator for access.
Do links open inside the dashboard?
No. All links open in a new browser tab.